In the summer of the eighth year of Qianlong, China ushered in an unforgettable disaster, a disaster that people called "the hottest summer". Looking back on history, we find that during that period, the court was clear, the society was peaceful, and the people lived and worked in peace and contentment, but the sudden natural disaster plunged the whole society into chaos in an instant.
In ancient times, people were deeply affected by various changes in nature, especially the devastation caused by natural disasters. Earthquakes, droughts and other disasters threaten people's survival all the time. In this story, we are not facing an earthquake, but one of the most feared disasters of ancient times—drought.
In historical film and television dramas, we often see depictions of drought. The ground is cracking, crops are withering, and people are enduring scorching heat and the threat of reduced food production. In ancient times, the level of agriculture was limited, and the problem of food has always been a headache for people. In the eighth year of Qianlong, this drought was like a heavenly rage, which was unbearable for people.
This summer, the temperature soared beyond the usual heat. In modern times, we have felt unbearable heat in the 30s, but in ancient times, the temperature reached 44.4°C, which is like a furnace. This extreme heat not only exalts people to unbearable heat, but also makes water scarcity and crop production a disaster, and people are struggling to survive in this natural disaster.
Qianlong, as the emperor of the Qing Dynasty, was a clear and prosperous society, and the people lived and worked in peace and contentment. However, the disaster struck at this time of prosperity, leaving no time for people to prepare. Faced with this dilemma, Qianlong acted quickly and launched a nationwide drought-fighting campaign.
In the summer of the eighth year of Qianlong, he personally ordered the organization of appropriation and distribution of grain in various localities, and set up temporary porridge shops to ensure people's food and clothing. This anti-drought action was a big gamble by Qianlong to save the livelihood of the people. However, it was difficult for manpower to control natural changes, so Qianlong decided to go to the affected area in person to fight the disaster together with the people.
His arrival made the local people feel the care of the emperor and inspired everyone's confidence in resisting disasters together. However, in the face of the scorching heat, Qianlong thought of the last resort - praying to heaven for blessings and rain.
In ancient times, superstition was deeply rooted, and Qianlong was convinced that this disaster was the blame of God, so he sincerely prayed for blessings and forgiveness from God to save the people. So, Qianlong wore a heavy dragon robe, withstood the high temperature of more than 40 degrees, and knelt on the altar praying for rain.
In the process, Qianlong fainted many times due to heat stroke. Perhaps it was his sincerity that moved the heavens, and a month later, it finally rained heavily and the temperature returned to normal. For the ancient people, they thought that such weather was a punishment from heaven, but from a modern point of view, it was actually human activities that affected the natural environment and led to the appearance of such extreme bad weather.
The story of this "hottest summer" allows us to see the determination of human beings to fight natural disasters, and also makes us reflect on the impact of human activities on the environment. Perhaps, it is in this disaster that we should know how to protect nature and coexist with it. The memory of history always reminds us to cherish the present and work hard for the future. Ladies and gentlemen, in the scorching summer, we must not only be enthusiastic and unrestrained, but also take care of this great river and mountain, and jointly create a better future. That's all for next time!